Thinking about getting a job at Gamestop and need some help

[Grave_Addiction]

Okay, I'm in the Air Force and am thinking about getting an extra job for a couple months just to help pay off some debts and other things. Since working at Gamestop/EB Games is my dream job, I've finally decided to go ahead and apply at Gamestop.

But, I am only going to be able to work maybe three to four times a week and not at all during the weekends if I do decide to take the job. After all, I do have a family to go home to and can't be gone all the time.

There's a new store opening up soon that's really close to me, so I was wondering if you guys who work at these places think I have a good shot at getting a job there.

I know most people that hire don't like to be told that their employees won't work weekends, but that will be the main time I can spend with my family and will not budge from that.

Also, are there any tips or other little secrets to getting a job there other than the normal, everyday things that you do in an interview? Thanks for any help, fellas.

[suprsaiyanMAX]

Do so and you may end up like this...

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/?t=archives&date=2004-06-19

[ElwoodCuse]

I doubt they will hire someone with limited availability as you say. There's probably at least a dozen other people that are willing to work twice what you are.

This is probably a blessing in disguise. Do you really want to be "that guy" that people come here and complain about when you ask them to preorder a dozen games and sign up for the card/magazine? And if you say "oh no I'll be cool about it and only be nice to the customers", that may be the just thing to do, but then you'll have your manager on your ass about why you aren't selling any preorders or subscriptions.

If you really can't do weekends, try and find an office job at a place that is closed on weekends. Maybe a temp agency can set you up or something.

[Grave_Addiction]

I doubt they will hire someone with limited availability as you say. There's probably at least a dozen other people that are willing to work twice what you are.

This is probably a blessing in disguise. Do you really want to be "that guy" that people come here and complain about when you ask them to preorder a dozen games and sign up for the card/magazine? And if you say "oh no I'll be cool about it and only be nice to the customers", that may be the just thing to do, but then you'll have your manager on your ass about why you aren't selling any preorders or subscriptions.

If you really can't do weekends, try and find an office job at a place that is closed on weekends. Maybe a temp agency can set you up or something.

Well, I already have an office job, and I don't think I can handle two of them. I'm hoping, though, that the manager will see that I'm more mature and dependable than all the 16 year olds trying to get a job there and decide to hire me despite the lack of time I can work.

I probably can work a 5 p.m. to close four times a week, so I guess that's not too bad. Regardless, I'm going to fill out an application and if I get the job, great, but if I don't, I won't lose any sleep over it.

[Reality's Fringe]

the job sucks and pays shit. Trust me, you're better off somewhere else. It's NOT a "Dream job"; that's one of the worst things people say when they talk about working there.

[Grave_Addiction]

the job sucks and pays shit. Trust me, you're better off somewhere else. It's NOT a "Dream job"; that's one of the worst things people say when they talk about working there.

Heh heh, well I'd like to try it out anyway. Can you tell me what an average day entails? Also, I doubt I'd let any of the managers get to me too much.

[Wshakspear]

If you just want the discount, try Best Buy. Unless your aiming for management at EB/GS, its not worth it.

[Ericnmel99]

I know a couple of people that work at BB part time. I agree that your better off there than gamestop.

[yeahokthenfu]

Dude youre in the Airforce you should have plenty of time to see your family and shouldnt be tired after work, come on now man, these guys think you work hard or something, your Boot Camp is only 6 weeks long how hard can your job be. I wouldnt hire you if you arent willing to work weekends based on the simple fact that when someone is hiring they need weekend workers, you must not have ever been job searching before otherwise you wouldnt even try this. But who knows they may just hire someone from the Chairforce for just the weekdays after 5 p.m. when only old people or kida with no money are around.

[Reality's Fringe]

An average day? Sure:

You start by getting there 5 minutes early, but you CAN NOT CLOCK ON UNTIL IT IS EXACTLY TIME FOR YOUR SHIFT, so you'd better wait, or get a lecture about how they need to save "payroll".
About 100 people come in throughout the day, most ask you stupid, asinine questions about shit you can't possibly know (Why is the waterfall placed like that in the 3rd level? Where can I get that thing that let's me play the games on my tv? When are you guys going to make that new GTA, it's the shit), many go around and demolish the alphabetical order the games are in because, apparently, it's too much work to keep "MADDEN" in the "MADDEN" area. A few people will actually buy something, and you have to go through bullshit spiels about reservations and subscriptions, even though half the time no one knows what the hell you're talking about.....sometimes you don't either. After they do buy something though, most people expect you to bend over backwards for them if they have a problem with it, or they don't like it. Yeah, they bought it new, but they should be able to return it 5 days later with deep scratches because"I didn't like it" and demand money back. Later in the day, people will bring in their shitty, smelly, fucked up games to trade in, which you have to take pretty much because the official policy is "don't be too picky"....I'm dead serious, it's posted in the bathroom. Let's see, you have to deal with stinky people an awful lot. A majority of the people who go in there smell REAL bad for some reason, don't ask me why. A majority of them are also completely fucking clueless and rude. Some people steal while you stand there and watch them, some try to return a used game for cash back, when you tell them you can't do that with used games, they suddenly remember they bought it new even though the receipt says otherwise.................Skipping a few hours, once you close, you have to wait an extra 30 minutes after 9 PM for the people who don't know that the BArs across the door mean you have to do closeout paperwork before you can go home. They don't care. And despite all of that, no matter hoe much you drive sales, your hours will be drastically cut after one slow day. Guaranteed. At anyrate, enjoy your new job.

[Cornfedwb]

Dude youre in the Airforce you should have plenty of time to see your family and shouldnt be tired after work, come on now man, these guys think you work hard or something, your Boot Camp is only 6 weeks long how hard can your job be. I wouldnt hire you if you arent willing to work weekends based on the simple fact that when someone is hiring they need weekend workers, you must not have ever been job searching before otherwise you wouldnt even try this. But who knows they may just hire someone from the Chairforce for just the weekdays after 5 p.m. when only old people or kida with no money are around.

Wow, that was unneccesary.

[Renzokuken]

Reality, I also have to stay around for 30 min after the bank closes. Its funny when people stick their faces close to the window while trying to open the door.

[Reality's Fringe]

I hear you. If anyone wants me to describe a typical sunday, I'd be glad to.

[Ericnmel99]

sure....lets hear about sunday.

[Reality's Fringe]

A typical Sunday at Gamestop is loads of fun:

The day starts late enough, thank god, at 11 AM. Of course, when you get there at 10:45 to assist the supervisor in getting everything ready, you have to contend with the people who sit in there cars in front of the store; looking angrily at you as if you're keeping them from doing something. You finally get around to opening the store, and the people come in and make snippy comments, stinking up the place, and only 1/3 of them actually buy anything and that's the $1.99 PS1 games. There's a good 20 minute reprival after that before the little fat, blonde haired, annoying ass 10 year old comes in with hi stupid father. This kid is TRULY annoying. He snaps his hands and says things to the effect of "Uhm, how about a little service MY way" or "Uh, Down here, I need service now" while his father laughs it up like it's the cutest thing in the world. Then you have the guy come in whose traded Mafia for the Xbox in everyday for the past 4 days.....for cash. Of course, YOU know it's stolen, but remember DON'T BE TOO PICKY!!!. Well, later on you get the grossly obese people who bring in their stinking N64, which when I say "stinking" I mean "smells like shit and butter" stinking, and games and look incredulous when you tell them that WWF Warzone is only .50 for trade-in, even though right beside where I'm standing is a drawer filled with 24 copies that sell for $.99 each. Don't forget the chubby, unkempt kid who comes in and loiters while playing the demo machines for a good hour and a half and never buys anything. He just blocks the machines when a paying customer wants to demo something. At around 2 o'clock all the uppity soccer moms come in with their loud, discipline-less kids who run around the store and knock games and accessories to bejesus and back. That's ok though, the mom finds it funny so you should too!! Then you get what I'd like to call "Mr Affluent", you know, he drives up in his AWESOME "pimped-out" ride, which is often times a small or mid-size entry level sedan, and comes in wearing those sweet shades. Of course, he wants ALL the latest games, but with his busy schedule of boning hot chicks and making lots of cash at his high paying job, he only has time to play one and come into the store and be a douche for an hour. Of course, when he DOES buy the hot new game (because money is no object) he pays in credit. Then we have the Pseudo-Hardcore gamers come in, babbling on like they know what the hell they're talking about. I shouldn't be so harsh though, especially because his brother has the "Playstation 3 because he got it form Japan and that's where they make them so they get them REAL early", or because he remembers those oldschool games liek "Resident Evil". I'm sure they have a Mario game all lined up for the PS2 there, buddy. As it gets nearer to closing time (6PM), at around 5:30 or so, you have the late shoppers come in and look around. That's fine. Some of them are freakish in their mannerisms, and some, as mentioned before, smell terrible. It's ok though, it's almost time to close. Well, 6 rolls by.....6:10.....6:15, and you start to realize that no one knows what "Please bring your purchases to the counter, as we must close now" means. The few that actually DO get that you're closing just "Cannot believe that you would close at 6 on sunday". I mean, MY GOD MAN, how will SHE shop if you close?! Finally, you get finished with all the closeout paperwork, and as you leave the building, your manager says "By the way, we'll have to cut you tommow....just hasn't been enough sales. Gotta save payroll." I love it.....

[Grave_Addiction]

Dude youre in the Airforce you should have plenty of time to see your family and shouldnt be tired after work, come on now man, these guys think you work hard or something, your Boot Camp is only 6 weeks long how hard can your job be. I wouldnt hire you if you arent willing to work weekends based on the simple fact that when someone is hiring they need weekend workers, you must not have ever been job searching before otherwise you wouldnt even try this. But who knows they may just hire someone from the Chairforce for just the weekdays after 5 p.m. when only old people or kida with no money are around.

Ummm, I never said my job was hard, but it does, at times, demand a lot of time. I'm a sports editor for the base newspaper. Yes, it's a great job. Yes, I work in an air-conditioned office. Yes, I am usually in a chair. I really don't see how that impacts how much time I get to spend with my family.

My job can be very stressful because I deal with deadlines all day long, everyday. Because of that, I can manage my time really good and think I'm a pretty good worker.

Also, I really don't understand your point about how our "Boot Camp" is only six weeks long. So, what?

I don't need this job. I think it would be kinda cool to have for a couple months. On the weekends, I spend time with my family and that's what I like to do. I'm not hard pressed for money, but it would be nice to have an extra income. That's why I'm not desperate enough to say I'll work everyday from 5 or 6 p.m. until close.

But whatever, I really don't care.

[Dead of Knight]

Reality's Fringe, you must work at a stripmall store, since we don't get nearly as many smelly people at our mall location.... Other than that, everything else is true about our store also.

[Reality's Fringe]

Dead on, Stripmall location. Right past a Wal-Mart too. Honestly though......

[Wshakspear]

Hi, im a dick.

Ummm, I never said my job was hard, but it does, at times, demand a lot of time. I'm a sports editor for the base newspaper. Yes, it's a great job. Yes, I work in an air-conditioned office. Yes, I am usually in a chair. I really don't see how that impacts how much time I get to spend with my family.

My job can be very stressful because I deal with deadlines all day long, everyday. Because of that, I can manage my time really good and think I'm a pretty good worker.

Also, I really don't understand your point about how our "Boot Camp" is only six weeks long. So, what?

I don't need this job. I think it would be kinda cool to have for a couple months. On the weekends, I spend time with my family and that's what I like to do. I'm not hard pressed for money, but it would be nice to have an extra income. That's why I'm not desperate enough to say I'll work everyday from 5 or 6 p.m. until close.

But whatever, I really don't care.

Dont take it too hard. Seriously, if you just want to be around games, those places will work. If you need a job and want to be at least around games, try target/walmart/kmart.

[Grave_Addiction]

Dead on, Stripmall location. Right past a Wal-Mart too. Honestly though......

Holy shit. The one I am going to apply for is in a strip mall right in front of a Wal-Mart, and I live in Texas! That may not be the best idea for a job after all. :roll:

[Reality's Fringe]

Do yourself a favor, and don't do it. there's no faster way to kill your hobby than working at these places. I remember a week where I seriously considered selling all my game stuff.

[Grave_Addiction]

Hi, im a dick.

Ummm, I never said my job was hard, but it does, at times, demand a lot of time. I'm a sports editor for the base newspaper. Yes, it's a great job. Yes, I work in an air-conditioned office. Yes, I am usually in a chair. I really don't see how that impacts how much time I get to spend with my family.

My job can be very stressful because I deal with deadlines all day long, everyday. Because of that, I can manage my time really good and think I'm a pretty good worker.

Also, I really don't understand your point about how our "Boot Camp" is only six weeks long. So, what?

I don't need this job. I think it would be kinda cool to have for a couple months. On the weekends, I spend time with my family and that's what I like to do. I'm not hard pressed for money, but it would be nice to have an extra income. That's why I'm not desperate enough to say I'll work everyday from 5 or 6 p.m. until close.

But whatever, I really don't care.

Dont take it too hard. Seriously, if you just want to be around games, those places will work. If you need a job and want to be at least around games, try target/walmart/kmart.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm looking for. I want a job where I can be around games and talk about them.

I've always liked the atmosphere at Gamestop. It seems pretty laid back and the workers generally seem cool. Except when you see those guys who think they are gods and everyone should worship them because they have a special job only reserved for the most knowledgeable gamers.

[Wshakspear]

Just dont forget about qoutas you'll have to meet. A guy i know is a Gamestop manager and was telling me about all the fun of trying to sell a certain # of n-gages. poor bastard :)

[Acrylic]

Well, I remember I was at Gamestop one day. I was looking at games, and I knocked over like 10 display boxes. I picked em up and put em in order. Sure I felt embarassed, but whatever. But I doubt she was mad cuz I bought a Retro SP that day, so whatever, its all good. lol

[Grave_Addiction]

Just dont forget about qoutas you'll have to meet. A guy i know is a Gamestop manager and was telling me about all the fun of trying to sell a certain # of n-gages. poor bastard :)

Hah hah, that's pretty funny. But I don't see how they can possibly put quotas on a video game store. I mean, it's not like you can make people reserve games or buy crappy systems.

Unless they give the managers a lot of freedom to offer incentives to people who probably wouldn't normally buy the game, I think it's unfair.

[Wshakspear]

nope, no incentives, other than having the store get more hours for part-timers. its comepletely unfair and retarded.

[Grave_Addiction]

Do yourself a favor, and don't do it. there's no faster way to kill your hobby than working at these places. I remember a week where I seriously considered selling all my game stuff.

Could you tell me why you think it made you almost do that?

Also in your experience, are the managers and employees pretty cool?

[Reality's Fringe]

Reread my two other posts about a typical day, and a sunday, and I think you can imagine what would lead me to almost selling all my games and quitting. As for managers and employees, it depends. My first store manager was a total fucking douchebag, but he was fired from stealing form the company. My new manager is pretty cool though. that's not all you have to look out for though. The COMPANY's stupid-ass policies, the mass of dumbass people, and the amount of times your hours will be cut are enough reason to stay away from that job. I can relate a few more stories to you if you'd like.

[Grave_Addiction]

Reread my two other posts about a typical day, and a sunday, and I think you can imagine what would lead me to almost selling all my games and quitting. As for managers and employees, it depends. My first store manager was a total shaq-fuing douchebag, but he was fired from stealing form the company. My new manager is pretty cool though. that's not all you have to look out for though. The COMPANY's stupid-ass policies, the mass of dumbass people, and the amount of times your hours will be cut are enough reason to stay away from that job. I can relate a few more stories to you if you'd like.

Sure, if you have the time I'd like to hear them. But also give me some of the positive things about the job. I'm sure there are some since you are still working there.

[Reality's Fringe]

Well, I don't have the time to go into a long tale about work, but here's a short one:

District Manager comes in. District Manager=total douche. District Manager refuses to address my questions about the raise I was supposed to get 4 months ago. I raise concern to district manager about used games being sold as new. District manager tells me people are too stupid to care.

Hmmm, you want a positive aspect about the job? I get free game related stuff from time to time. Don't kid yourself, the only reaosn I still have the job is because I need some money, and by the time I quit and get a new one, it'll be time for me to head off to college. I'll post more later.

[BigHow]

Hi, im a dick.

Ummm, I never said my job was hard, but it does, at times, demand a lot of time. I'm a sports editor for the base newspaper. Yes, it's a great job. Yes, I work in an air-conditioned office. Yes, I am usually in a chair. I really don't see how that impacts how much time I get to spend with my family.

My job can be very stressful because I deal with deadlines all day long, everyday. Because of that, I can manage my time really good and think I'm a pretty good worker.

Also, I really don't understand your point about how our "Boot Camp" is only six weeks long. So, what?

I don't need this job. I think it would be kinda cool to have for a couple months. On the weekends, I spend time with my family and that's what I like to do. I'm not hard pressed for money, but it would be nice to have an extra income. That's why I'm not desperate enough to say I'll work everyday from 5 or 6 p.m. until close.

But whatever, I really don't care.

Dont take it too hard. Seriously, if you just want to be around games, those places will work. If you need a job and want to be at least around games, try target/walmart/kmart.

Heh. "Hi, I'm a dick." Priceless.

[jshorr]

I appreciate the write-ups about your work at gamestop. They made me laugh, and your writing style is very good. You're gonna do very well at college and get a much better job when it's done. I'm sure what keeps you going there is knowing it's not forever. Good luck!


Well, I don't have the time to go into a long tale about work, but here's a short one:

District Manager comes in. District Manager=total douche. District Manager refuses to address my questions about the raise I was supposed to get 4 months ago. I raise concern to district manager about used games being sold as new. District manager tells me people are too stupid to care.

Hmmm, you want a positive aspect about the job? I get free game related stuff from time to time. Don't kid yourself, the only reaosn I still have the job is because I need some money, and by the time I quit and get a new one, it'll be time for me to head off to college. I'll post more later.

[FREAKMIKE3]

Eh, every job has its pro's and con's. You can take out gamestop and insert any retailer and the same rules apply just about. I have worked different retail jobs to know that the customers suck in any job, but then, there are awesome ones too. These are the guys who make you glad to work there. After about 2 years at GS, I have to say it is the best so far. It doesnt pay what I used to make, but I chose to take the step down so that I didnt have to travel any more. And I go home happy every day. I cant say that the store you choose will be the best, as all GS are different, it depends on the store manager. But if you are lucky, you will find a cool one, as 95% of my co-managers are cool.

BTW, Reality, raises just went into effect last pay period I believe. If you received a review it should show up. If not, and you did qualify for a raise, have your manager call payroll. They will take care of it faster.

[MrMaddness]

Eh, every job has its pro's and con's. You can take out gamestop and insert any retailer and the same rules apply just about. I have worked different retail jobs to know that the customers suck in any job, but then, there are awesome ones too. These are the guys who make you glad to work there. After about 2 years at GS, I have to say it is the best so far. It doesnt pay what I used to make, but I chose to take the step down so that I didnt have to travel any more. And I go home happy every day. I cant say that the store you choose will be the best, as all GS are different, it depends on the store manager. But if you are lucky, you will find a cool one, as 95% of my co-managers are cool.

BTW, Reality, raises just went into effect last pay period I believe. If you received a review it should show up. If not, and you did qualify for a raise, have your manager call payroll. They will take care of it faster.

Yep, I'd have to agree. Make sure you talk to the store manager and assistant manager to see if you mesh well. If they're cool, they won't have a problem with you not working weekends...I've been at my Gamestop for about a year and im my area it pays well. My manager also respects me, and he'll work around my schedule so its better for me.

Reality...if you hate it so much, why don't you just leave? You have to deal with dumbass customers everywhere. Believe me...

[ElwoodCuse]

Dude youre in the Airforce you should have plenty of time to see your family and shouldnt be tired after work, come on now man, these guys think you work hard or something, your Boot Camp is only 6 weeks long how hard can your job be. I wouldnt hire you if you arent willing to work weekends based on the simple fact that when someone is hiring they need weekend workers, you must not have ever been job searching before otherwise you wouldnt even try this. But who knows they may just hire someone from the Chairforce for just the weekdays after 5 p.m. when only old people or kida with no money are around.

gg making fun of the Air Force guy now there will probably be a "training accident" over your house

request in advance for smart bomb video footage

BTW, Grave, Hunter S. Thompson used to be the sports editor at a base in Kentucky, I want to say in the Air Force too but I can't remember for sure.

[Reality's Fringe]

BTW, Reality, raises just went into effect last pay period I believe. If you received a review it should show up. If not, and you did qualify for a raise, have your manager call payroll. They will take care of it faster.

Sorry to inject life into a pretty much dead topic, but I felt it was important to point out that I had indeed notified my Store Manager.....repeatedly. And I also notified my district manager.....repeatedly. I guess she couldn't be bothered because she was in line for a promotion. YAY. A PROMOTION! Yeah, good for you bitch! Let me tell you, I'm LUCKY to be making 5.75 an hr and getting only 9 hours a week! Make a career at gamestop!

[defender]

My day would be exactly like that as well except I dont take ANY shit.

I kick any kids out that dont have parents with them. I do not allow customers to demo any games...no exceptions. If a customer gets an attitude I kick them out. There has been more than a few times that violence has erupted over this. I love it.

I dont like the dumb stupid questions and if I can answer a dumb question in a way that lets the customer know it was a dumb question then I will.

You are 100% right about the smelly gamers. They dont even have to be fat to smell. They just wreak. The bring in systems and games that look like they were kept in the toilet. My favorite is when live roaches crawl of a cart or system I am looking at. I now tell customers to put all items on my counter now. If it looks or smells funny I just tell them no thank you. I normally do not buy something if its only going to be less than $1. If then item is something I dont need or has really low value I dont bother insulting them with some cheap offer. I just tell them I am not interested. People actually curse me out just because the items they have are worthless. It's as if I am forcing them to accept my offer.

Anyways...go work at McDonalds.

[defender]

BTW, Reality, raises just went into effect last pay period I believe. If you received a review it should show up. If not, and you did qualify for a raise, have your manager call payroll. They will take care of it faster.

Sorry to inject life into a pretty much dead topic, but I felt it was important to point out that I had indeed notified my Store Manager.....repeatedly. And I also notified my district manager.....repeatedly. I guess she couldn't be bothered because she was in line for a promotion. YAY. A PROMOTION! Yeah, good for you bitch! Let me tell you, I'm LUCKY to be making 5.75 an hr and getting only 9 hours a week! Make a career at gamestop!


just quit

[bignick]

BTW, Reality, raises just went into effect last pay period I believe. If you received a review it should show up. If not, and you did qualify for a raise, have your manager call payroll. They will take care of it faster.

Sorry to inject life into a pretty much dead topic, but I felt it was important to point out that I had indeed notified my Store Manager.....repeatedly. And I also notified my district manager.....repeatedly. I guess she couldn't be bothered because she was in line for a promotion. YAY. A PROMOTION! Yeah, good for you bitch! Let me tell you, I'm LUCKY to be making 5.75 an hr and getting only 9 hours a week! Make a career at gamestop!

Well said Mr. Deez, DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZNUTS

just quit

[Reality's Fringe]

Oh, how I would love to quit, and, if my hours don't pick up in a week or so, I will. The problem is that, aside from needing money, I'm leaving for college in less than 2 months, so I fear that by the time I quit and find another, I might have a whole 2 weeks to work there. I'm looking for new jobs right now and, trust me, I'll drop this one as soon as I find another. Game stores bring out the absolute worst in people. And just to clarify, I'm not exaggerating about the smell. The man who owns a gamestore just validated that, and if you are still an unbeliever, come hang out at my store for a few hours. I'll be glad to show you some of the finer points of "stank".

[Dead of Knight]

Fuck dude, I had only been working for 4 months or so and I got my whopping 15-cent raise at GS.... $6.75 to $6.90. Just quit the fucking job. Your manager and district manager are just assholes if they won't give you a raise.

BTW: Managers and assistant managers can only get a max raise of a quarter ($0.25) a year in case anyone thinks the job has potential to move up. My assistant manager has probably been working at this same store for six years at least as well. The only reasons I have kept the job are because I'm going off to college in less than a year away from here and my coworkers are great.

[jerryenzyme]

Do yourself a favor, and don't do it. there's no faster way to kill your hobby than working at these places. I remember a week where I seriously considered selling all my game stuff.

Could you tell me why you think it made you almost do that?

Also in your experience, are the managers and employees pretty cool?

I work at a GS as an asst. manager and I can answer this too. I work around games all day, really shitty ones. And the people that shop at my store are all from the country towns in Texas, so they always buy and ask about these shitty games, i.e. Conflict: Desert Storm (hopefully the sequel will be called Conflict: Desert Storm III - Still in Baghdad) or any Army Men game. It grates on my nerves having to deal with people who willingly buy this crap, all the casual gamers who solely play sports and war games. Not that there's anything wrong with either of those, as I play those myself, but not exclusively. I went through a period in 2003 of hating games due to this. Not all Gamestops are as bad as some employees make them out to be, my store never has had quotas and no one really gets bitched at for not getting enough reserves or Game Informber subscriptions, but after working here and at EB for a while I decidedly like games a lot less.

[Reality's Fringe]

I don't mind my co-workers, at all. They're all great guys. The problem is the rest of the goddamned job. I've decided that when I go back to work (Thursday so I can do half of my awesomely profitable 9 hrs for this week!!) then I'm goign to raise several of these concerns one final time. If they are not adressed to some degree, then I'll turn in my two weeks.

Oh, and just to let you all know, I've overheard the regional and district managers talking, and the reason they take and sell shitty beat up games? They think all the customers are too stupid and poor to find an alternative, or send the extra few dollars between a new and used version. I have a few more interesting things I overheard during a few store evaluations/ conferences, and I thnk I'll let you knwo soon.

[defender]

Oh, and just to let you all know, I've overheard the regional and district managers talking, and the reason they take and sell shitty beat up games? They think all the customers are too stupid and poor to find an alternative, or send the extra few dollars between a new and used version. I have a few more interesting things I overheard during a few store evaluations/ conferences, and I thnk I'll let you knwo soon.

Are you saying he is wrong???

[thatstoobad]

I work at a GS as an asst. manager and I can answer this too. I work around games all day, really shitty ones. And the people that shop at my store are all from the country towns in Texas, so they always buy and ask about these shitty games, i.e. Conflict: Desert Storm (hopefully the sequel will be called Conflict: Desert Storm III - Still in Baghdad) or any Army Men game. It grates on my nerves having to deal with people who willingly buy this crap, all the casual gamers who solely play sports and war games. Not that there's anything wrong with either of those, as I play those myself, but not exclusively. I went through a period in 2003 of hating games due to this. Not all Gamestops are as bad as some employees make them out to be, my store never has had quotas and no one really gets bitched at for not getting enough reserves or Game Informber subscriptions, but after working here and at EB for a while I decidedly like games a lot less.

i know exactly how you feel, just replace the games with cds. i have to say that people should try to avoid getting a retail job that involves their interests or hobbies, at least in the whole game/music/movie spectrum. when you see first hand all the crap that is released, and you see first hand all the idiots that buy said crap, it wears on you until you eventually get to a point where you think to yourself "i don't want anything more to do with this stuff" and either quit your job or sell all of your media (games/cds/movies), or maybe both. of course, this eventually passes, and you finally end up realizing that you have to just try to tune out the crappy things and the crappy people, but every now and then that feeling of selling everything comes back.

i can also relate to how people get all hot and bothered because they aren't being offered "enough" for their trade ins. people just don't seem to understand that businesses are out to make a profit, and that they are only going to get roughly half of what their item sells for used. sometimes, after someone makes a big stink because they are only being offered $4 for a cd that we will sell for $8, i'll tell them "ok, now i'll give you 3". the end result is usually pretty messy, but it helps get me through the day.

all that being said, my job could be a lot worse.

[CaseyRyback]

Do yourself a favor, and don't do it. there's no faster way to kill your hobby than working at these places. I remember a week where I seriously considered selling all my game stuff.

Could you tell me why you think it made you almost do that?

Also in your experience, are the managers and employees pretty cool?

I work at a GS as an asst. manager and I can answer this too. I work around games all day, really shitty ones. And the people that shop at my store are all from the country towns in Texas, so they always buy and ask about these shitty games, i.e. Conflict: Desert Storm (hopefully the sequel will be called Conflict: Desert Storm III - Still in Baghdad) or any Army Men game. It grates on my nerves having to deal with people who willingly buy this crap, all the casual gamers who solely play sports and war games. Not that there's anything wrong with either of those, as I play those myself, but not exclusively. I went through a period in 2003 of hating games due to this. Not all Gamestops are as bad as some employees make them out to be, my store never has had quotas and no one really gets bitched at for not getting enough reserves or Game Informber subscriptions, but after working here and at EB for a while I decidedly like games a lot less.

where in Texas

[jerryenzyme]

Austin.

[Reality's Fringe]

Oh, and just to let you all know, I've overheard the regional and district managers talking, and the reason they take and sell shitty beat up games? They think all the customers are too stupid and poor to find an alternative, or send the extra few dollars between a new and used version. I have a few more interesting things I overheard during a few store evaluations/ conferences, and I thnk I'll let you knwo soon.

Are you saying he is wrong???


Not really, I just don't care for encompassing generalizations like that. For the most part. Yes. It's true. I just thought people should think about what was said the next time one of them tries to push you to get a used game.

[jerryenzyme]

shaq-fu dude, I had only been working for 4 months or so and I got my whopping 15-cent raise at GS.... $6.75 to $6.90. Just quit the shaq-fuing job. Your manager and district manager are just assholes if they won't give you a raise.

BTW: Managers and assistant managers can only get a max raise of a quarter ($0.25) a year in case anyone thinks the job has potential to move up. My assistant manager has probably been working at this same store for six years at least as well. The only reasons I have kept the job are because I'm going off to college in less than a year away from here and my coworkers are great.

I just got 50 cents for my raise.

[CaseyRyback]

A lot of people say they get shitty and beat up used games, and I have to say I have never had a problem with this. My Gamestop is run by a very cool guy and always hooks me up when it comes to games(since I spend a boatload of money in there, and by now they pretty much all recognize me)

[epobirs]

How long is your current hitch and what do you plan to do after if you aren't career? You may want to give some thought to getting established in a place that might want you back full-time in the management track. Ex-military has a big advantage for that.

[Skylander7]

I worked at a game store part time. Foreclosed on people's houses by day for the bank, sold games at night. I hated it. I hated the people I worked with, I hated the idiots buying sucky games and expecting refunds when they sucked, the people I worked with hated me and said that it wasn't "necessary for me to be there since I already had a job", since I took away from their hours.. it jeapordized my love for gaming. I actually watched cockroaches pour out of somebody's N64 that they traded in. Glad I left it.. there are many different avenues of income that are more worthy. You write for a paper, right? Do a couple of freelance articles for a local paper, maybe an editorial. Solicit that experience you have, instead of watching kids throw game cases at each other and imagine that they're pokemon or something.

[Reality's Fringe]

Holy shit man, you foreclosed on people for a bank....that has to be the COOLEST part time job ever. I'm currently looking at an ad for a job as a night watchman at a graveyard. Damn, that's the only other job I can think of that would be as sweet.

[Tom]

Holy shit man, you foreclosed on people for a bank....that has to be the COOLEST part time job ever. I'm currently looking at an ad for a job as a night watchman at a graveyard. Damn, that's the only other job I can think of that would be as sweet.

Until the bodies rise from the dead and you figure out bullets won't stop a skeleton from pulling your heart out and feeding it to you.

[Reality's Fringe]

Well, that would be true, but all I would do is bust that skeleton's ass with my Atomic Fists.

[Grave_Addiction]

How long is your current hitch and what do you plan to do after if you aren't career? You may want to give some thought to getting established in a place that might want you back full-time in the management track. Ex-military has a big advantage for that.

Well, I'm signed up till 2010, and by that time I'll have 10 more years left before I can retire, so I'm most likely going to stay for 20 years at least.

After that, I want to do public relations for some DFW-based sports organization. Hopefully, the Cowboys or the Mavericks. Those are my true dream jobs.

[defender]

I used to LOVE music. I own still over 1000 CDs but then I worked in a music store for about 2 1/2 years and fixed that.

It's basically hell to work in retail. It's easy work mostly but its not rewarding at all.

[Reality's Fringe]

Which is exactly why I refuse to work at the FYE at my local mall. I don't need music ruined for me too. If I owned a music store, however,(Naive alert) IT COULD JUST BE LIKE HIGH FIDELITY!!! OMG!!! At anyrate, I'm using the "Work with something you love, then learn to hate it" phenomena in selecting that night watchman job. I mean, I already hate dead bodies anyway, so I can only hate them more right? Unless.....something goes horribly wrong and I start to like dead bodies.....

[ElwoodCuse]

After that, I want to do public relations for some DFW-based sports organization. Hopefully, the Cowboys or the Mavericks. Those are my true dream jobs.

You missed out, you should have auditioned for Mark Cuban's reality show.

[Grave_Addiction]

After that, I want to do public relations for some DFW-based sports organization. Hopefully, the Cowboys or the Mavericks. Those are my true dream jobs.

You missed out, you should have auditioned for Mark Cuban's reality show.

Heh, if I were truly myself on a tv show like that, they would probably kick me off. I would probably spend every night in a drunken stupor and doing things that my wife would kill me over.

Although, I bet I would be pretty good at that show if I could manage to stay sober through it all. I dunno, when I get around any kind of party atmosphere, I can't control myself when it comes to the drink. I just guzzle it all down and act like an ass.

[FREAKMIKE3]

BTW: Managers and assistant managers can only get a max raise of a quarter ($0.25) a year in case anyone thinks the job has potential to move up. My assistant manager has probably been working at this same store for six years at least as well. The only reasons I have kept the job are because I'm going off to college in less than a year away from here and my coworkers are great.


Um, what? Honestly, if you dont know any better, you shouldnt go spreading info you think you know. I wont go into details, because it really is info that should stay in the company, but you are wrong or at least misinformed.